WH Opens Spigot for Outside Interest Groups

This looks like a case of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Democrats complained during the election campaign that they were swamped by contributions to Republicans from outside interest groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And they expect another $500 million will go from those groups to fight President Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012, Politico reports. So the White House will seek money of its own from outside groups.

That means a sharp reversal of Obama’s policy in the 2008 election. "Our strong preference is for a campaign finance system that is transparent and open and in which the American people can see what's going on," David Axelrod, a senior Obama adviser tells Politico. "But I am sure the physics of this is that there will be people offended by this, and they will be inspired to get involved."

This looks like a case of If you can t beat em, join em. Democrats complained during the election campaign that they were swamped by contributions to Republicans from outside interest groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And they expect another $500 million will...